1947 John Deere FB Grain Drill manual

Thanks for your help in advance.

Pic shows just a FB drill but yes there was a earlier just plain F model and later versions as well FB-A and FB-B. Find more drill pics in implement photos section under my handle or searching with your drill model. JD publications should list something for all those F versions.

The operators manual for FB was originally OM-M2-355 but will find it now with JD publicatons or JD parts online as OMM2355 so still the same number really. PC149 parts catalog covers the FB model only. JD publications should have copies available or you might search for those in online auctions or ads or with other old literature vendors.

• JD Tech Publications for Manuals

You folks are sure a wealth of information. I just hope I can help someone that way you have me.

Appreciate it!!

Good deal. I saw they still have the other manual like you have listed also. This is a pic off cover of assembly manual for FB-B and DF-B drills. Most of the later drills would have a tag on end of grain box with model and serial number but early ones didn't.

Mark

I want to plant a mixture of grass seed for a hay crop. I need to wait for the snow to melt off. Just getting ready for spring to sprung.

Ralph

Your drill sounds like a nice complete piece. If you want light grasses in your hay mix like brome, timothy, orchard, they often do not flow well through the drill. Some mix them with oats or rye and they flow better. An alternative is to have the co-op mix it with the fertilizer at the rate you want it and apply it with their spreader. The grass seed will not throw as far as the fertilizer so you have the co-op mix a full rate for grass seed and half rate for fertilizer and cut the pass spacing from 40 ft. to 20 ft. Then run the drill with the legume seed (clover, alfalfa, etc.) in the grass box and a companion crop of oats or something if you choose through the grain box. I currently seed oats and pure alfalfa and sell the hay, but I have used this process in the past.

Good luck and come on spring.

Mark

I'll talk with them spring and see if they'll do that. We are new to the area up here and this is the first year of putting crops in on this land. I spent last summer clearing some fields getting ready. Nice land but has been neglected for several years. Farmers around tell me that they used to take oats off the fields that I am trying to get back into shape. Really looking forward to it. For now, I am waiting for a foot of snow to melt away.....

Take care,

Ralph

I have the "B" Plain drill with grass seeder, and it's manual is OM-N159296.

Frank

Mine has the grass seed box on it also. Not quite that good of shape but close. I also got a 9' Brillion cultipacker with it. That is is need of a little work but is usable.

I couldn't find the tag on the side of the box. May be on the frame some where but haven't checked. We got back with it late Saturday night and it and the cultipacker are still on the trailer.

Thanks much!!

I sure don't know my grain drills, but I have a catalog of the manuals JD offers, and while I see an FB-B, and an FB-A, I do not see just an FB. If you can clarify the model, I'm sure myself or someone else can get a number for the book, and then you can try to find a used one or order a new one from Deere at 800-522-7448.

Frank

Boy, I sure appreciate the help!!